Emotional Health

Encourage family members to identify emotions

Use a feelings chart to name the specific emotions you and your children experience.

Demonstrate acceptance of all emotions — none are “good” or “bad”!
Have scheduled or random (but consistently occurring) check-ins to provide opportunities for kids to share with fully engaged and attentive adults.

Sometimes talking about emotions is challenging.

Kids can draw a picture, make a collage, write a story, or journal to communicate feelings.
Show interest and encourage them to describe their creation, without pressing for explanations they do not offer naturally.
Have DJ or dance party to allow creative expression of emotions — through song choices or interpretive dance. (Bonus: This can be wildly entertaining!)

Allow children to express experiences and emotions through play.

Using dolls, Lego minifigures, action figures, or dollhouse people, kids can show you how “some people” feel in times like this.
Don’t try to steer them in a particular direction.
Follow their lead and keep the conversation about the figures and their experiences, without attributing those to your child.
If you want to make a connection, do so without applying pressure or asking direct questions. “That guy is all alone. He’s feeling lonely. Lots of people feel that way right now. That might be a way that some of us are feeling, too.”

Model appropriate expression of your own emotions.

Existing in close quarters can wear on us all. It’s healthy to get quiet time each day.

Allow children to engage in an activity during this time that is relaxing, quiet, and rejuvenating for them.
Avoid using devices during this time. Consider creative play, reading, or rest. This can be done outside!